Animal-trap.



M. JOHNSON. ANIMAL TRAP.

APPLIoATIoN FILED nov.z,19os..

Patented July 6, 1909.

UNITED sTATEs PATENT OEEIOE.

MARTIN iOIINsON, OE MINNEOTA, MINNESOTA.v

AN 1MAL-TRAP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 6, 1909.

' Appncauon ined Noyer-.teer 2', 190s. serial No. 460,607.

The object of my invention is to provide a trap which can be set in mud or leaves and covered over with earth and leaves without danger of interfering with or preventing the movement of the trigger to release the jaws of the trap.4 Generally when traps of this kind are set and the trigger covered with a suitable material, there is danger of sticks Or earth working in under the trigger and pre-v .venting Its depression when the annnal steps into the tra p. It also happens that sticks or some other foreign substance may getbetween the jaws when they are released and prevent them from closing entirely and allowing the escape otf4 the animal. My in! vention obviates this Objection to the ordinary trap.

The invention consists generally in a box or casing inclosing the trigger and whereon the trap jaws are mounted.

In the zeompanying drawings forming part of this specification, Figure l, is a sectional view ot' a trap embodying my invention, Fig. 2, is a top view of the same, Fig. 3, is a sectisnal view on the line of Fig. 2, Fig. 4, is a view corresponding to Fig. 3 showing the jaws of the trap closed.

In the drawing, i). represents a` box or casing closed on the sides, open at the bottom, and having an opening 3 in its top. The box .is flattened in form and is preferably made ot' metal and is adapted to be placed in the soil or embedded in the leaves, or it may be set in' the swamp.

.l represents the jaws of the trap of Ordinary construction pivoted at 5 to a side wall otI the box and to a. bracket on the opposite side. A springl 7 oi ordinary construction, is provided having the usual loop inclosing the ends oil.e the jaws on one side of the trap.

'lhc trigger 8 is pivoted at S.) on the box and has an arm extending across the opening 3 and a lng v1.1. that is adapted to engage one ot the jaws when they are open and lock needs or grass of a Inarsh or them in an open position. The end of the ar1n.10 extends under the top of the box at the edge of the opening 3 and is held thereby against 'upward movement. It is free however to swing downward within the box for the purpose ot' withdrawing the lug 11 out of the path ot the jaw. The trigger being inclosed on the sides, the trap may be set in `mud or leaves and covered with grass with earth sprinkled thereon and when an animal steps on the trigger, it will surely be depressed and the jawsreleased. The trigger is sothoroughly protected against obstructions, in the shape of sticks, stones or earth, that I am able to set the trap down level with the ground without. danger ot' the trigger heilig clogged orthe trap rendered inoperative.

I claim as my invention l. An animal trap comprising a. box hav-v ing closed sides and. an open top, and a Hange inclosing Athe opening in said top, jaws hinged on said box, an actuating spring for said jaws. a. vtrigijgrger hinged at one end in the lower side walls of said box and having na horizontally projecting. arm, which extends across the opening in the top of said box and has one end covered and protected by said flange, and the pivoted end of said trigger having a lug projecting into the path of one of saidjaws. substantially as described.

2. An animal trap comprising a box havingl closed sides and an open top, and atlange provided with a slot and inclosing the openingl in said top, jaws hinged on said box, an

actuating spring for said jaws, a trigger.

hinged at one end in the lower side wallsotl said box and having a horizontally projecting. arm which extends across the opening in the top ot' said box and has one end covered and protected by said flange, and the pivoted end of said trigger having a lug projecting horizontally therefrom through the slot pnovided in said tlange and into the path of one ot said jaws.

ln witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 28th day ot (')ctoben 1908.

MARTIN J )l-lNSON. lVitnesses:

S. B. ERIoIisON, H. J'. LILLEMANT. 

